3392 replies to this topic

[zman9810]

It sounds like the parking deck location choices are down to two now. The main WAC lot and the lot immediately south of the WAC are being considered. The other two choices evidently didn't receive much support in the public meetings. While I dislike seeing the building Grubb's in being removed that lot seems to be the best choice- it has the best access to the WAC, the city owns it and it reserves the WAC lot for a hotel and other development in the future.

[Mith242]

zman9810, on 23 April 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:

It sounds like the parking deck location choices are down to two now. The main WAC lot and the lot immediately south of the WAC are being considered. The other two choices evidently didn't receive much support in the public meetings. While I dislike seeing the building Grubb's in being removed that lot seems to be the best choice- it has the best access to the WAC, the city owns it and it reserves the WAC lot for a hotel and other development in the future.

Yeah didn't sound like there was any support for the other two locations.  If I understand correctly, the two mentioned sites have already been checked for voids underground as well.  Living in a karst area as we do, it's not uncommon to find voids underground and if you do happen to find one it can really affect costs of the project.  I've got to agree with you.  Not great to force out a restaurant that's doing well.  But I think overall it works best for the city.  As you said, it leaves the other lot for bigger developments in the future.

[zman9810]

Mith242, on 24 April 2012 - 03:22 PM, said:

Yeah didn't sound like there was any support for the other two locations.  If I understand correctly, the two mentioned sites have already been checked for voids underground as well.  Living in a karst area as we do, it's not uncommon to find voids underground and if you do happen to find one it can really affect costs of the project.  I've got to agree with you.  Not great to force out a restaurant that's doing well.  But I think overall it works best for the city.  As you said, it leaves the other lot for bigger developments in the future.

I'm actually surprised a deck hasn't been put off until it is seen how the WAC moves affect the area. Seems to me there will be less need for a deck after the new venue opens in Bentonville and the concert hall is renovated on campus. Some day a deck may be needed but original idea was to build it because the WAC was planning an expansion on Dickson.

[Mith242]

zman9810, on 24 April 2012 - 08:17 PM, said:

I'm actually surprised a deck hasn't been put off until it is seen how the WAC moves affect the area. Seems to me there will be less need for a deck after the new venue opens in Bentonville and the concert hall is renovated on campus. Some day a deck may be needed but original idea was to build it because the WAC was planning an expansion on Dickson.

Yeah and there's still some people here in Fayetteville that still say a parking deck isn't needed now, even without the other WAC facility having been built.  To me it still seems like a good investment, but that's just my opinion.

[wmr]

Dan Coody announced he is running for Mayor again.  This is good news for anyone who wants to see Fayetteville grow and grow smart.

[bubba72704]

Regarding the parking deck, do we know what the design is yet?  I would LOVE to see something like the U of A parking deck on Garland -- with retail/restaurant space at street level and parking behind and above.   Seems like this would not only alleviate parking issues but also create new entertainment options on Dickson Street -- thus driving new demand for said parking.  What's more -- the rent from the commercial frontage would be an additional source of revenue for the city.  What do you guys think?

[wmr]

Sounds like a good idea.  Coody has actually advocated for a similar plan, while the current administration seems hell-bent on building a generic parking structure ASAP.

[zman9810]

I don't think they will pick a design until discussion with the WAC is finished and the location is decided . Sound like the WAC would like to see a multi-use facility built that would iinclude their offices and rebuilt loading dock.

Certainly agree about Coody running for mayor again- I think he would back some good leadership for Fayetteville

[thewizard16]

bubba72704, on 09 May 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

Regarding the parking deck, do we know what the design is yet?  I would LOVE to see something like the U of A parking deck on Garland -- with retail/restaurant space at street level and parking behind and above.   Seems like this would not only alleviate parking issues but also create new entertainment options on Dickson Street -- thus driving new demand for said parking.  What's more -- the rent from the commercial frontage would be an additional source of revenue for the city.  What do you guys think?

This is obviously the way to go. Parking garages without street level retail ruin streetscapes and make it harder to develop a whole "neighborhood" feel in an area. In downtown Little Rock Moses Tucker has started retrofitting their downtown parking garaged with retail on the bottom level near their condo towers as well as the one closer to the main part of the River Market, and their retail space appears to be doing well, but more importantly (to me anyway) it makes the whole area near those garages feel more active and like a place you wouldn't mind walking around, as well as providing a nice connection between the blocks previously separated by the empty fronts of parking garages. If the city would do that with the large deck on Main in LR I think it'd make a huge difference, right now it makes it hard to feel any real connection to the River Market and Main. Fayetteville should certainly put street level retail in the new deck to make that part of West feel more active and encourage future development/commercial and residential interest in that area.

Interesting to see Coody running again. I found the whole "Anyone But Coody" campaign years back distasteful and generally approved of him as mayor. Nothing against Jordan, he's a very nice guy, I just don't think he is necessarily the leader the city thought it was getting.

[Mith242]

I had noticed Coody becomming more vocal and active in the past six months and had wondered if he might be considering another run at mayor.  Trying to be a bit objective, I suppose Coody might get some advantage because he was mayor when the economy was pretty good while it hasn't been for Jordan.  But that being said, I have to agree with what seems to be the general concensus here.  Jordan's a nice guy but not really sure he has what it takes.  Coody has some faults like everyone else, but he does seem to have more of a vision of what he wants for Fayetteville.

[zman9810]

The roundabout project in front of Washington Regional  has broken ground. This is the one at the intersection of Northhills and Futral that also includes the entrance and exit to Fulbright Expressway. This is going to be very interesting to see if it is a success. I think most people around here have never used a roundabout , especially one that will be as busy as this one will be. One aspect of this one that will help is the fact that you will be able to turn west on Futral from the Fulbright exit without going through the roundabout but that may also cause congestion with the traffic coming through the roundabout from the east. I can also see drivers mistakenly entering the exit ramp if no one is trying to exit Fulbright. Considering it is costing $3 million hopefully it works out. I wonder if that money could have been better spent on a traffic light and turn lanes.

[comreguy]

zman9810, on 17 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

The roundabout project in front of Washington Regional  has broken ground. This is the one at the intersection of Northhills and Futral that also includes the entrance and exit to Fulbright Expressway. This is going to be very interesting to see if it is a success. I think most people around here have never used a roundabout , especially one that will be as busy as this one will be. One aspect of this one that will help is the fact that you will be able to turn west on Futral from the Fulbright exit without going through the roundabout but that may also cause congestion with the traffic coming through the roundabout from the east. I can also see drivers mistakenly entering the exit ramp if no one is trying to exit Fulbright. Considering it is costing $3 million hopefully it works out. I wonder if that money could have been better spent on a traffic light and turn lanes.

Personally, I think a roundabout is an excellent solution. It keeps traffic moving. A stoplight will cause congestion purposefully by having cars stop at red lights. That's the last thing this area needs. If people can't figure out how to enter and exit a roundabout, we are in for bigger trouble than just a few slow accidents.

Edited by comreguy, 17 May 2012 - 09:00 AM.

[Mith242]

zman9810, on 17 May 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

The roundabout project in front of Washington Regional  has broken ground. This is the one at the intersection of Northhills and Futral that also includes the entrance and exit to Fulbright Expressway. This is going to be very interesting to see if it is a success. I think most people around here have never used a roundabout , especially one that will be as busy as this one will be. One aspect of this one that will help is the fact that you will be able to turn west on Futral from the Fulbright exit without going through the roundabout but that may also cause congestion with the traffic coming through the roundabout from the east. I can also see drivers mistakenly entering the exit ramp if no one is trying to exit Fulbright. Considering it is costing $3 million hopefully it works out. I wonder if that money could have been better spent on a traffic light and turn lanes.

I think traffic lights and turn lanes are what everyone in this area is used to.  But supposedly all the studies say roundabouts are supposed to handle traffic loads better.  The biggest thing will probably getting people used to it.  While this isn't the first roundabout in NWA, I think this might end up being the one that has more traffic counts than the other existing roundabouts in NWA.  In all the roundabouts I've used, in NWA and even outside the state, they have tended to be sites with lower traffic counts.  So I'm really curious to see how well this will work.